Fitting for stratosphere suits



Jam 5, 1943- J. c. CROWLEY FITTING FR STRATOSPHERE SUITS Filed March 18, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTQR.

l Illl Il( ./H/Y C. Geol/wer 705.5410/ y/ ATTORNEYS 140 IN VENTOR.

A TTORNEYS Patented Jan. 5, 1943 2,307,393 y FITTING FOR STRATOSPHERE SUITS JohnA C. Crowley, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, as-

slgnor to The Weber Dental Company, Canton,

Manufacturing Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 18, 1942, Serial No. 435,212 20 Claims. (Cl. 12K-144) This invention relates to sphere or similar suit.

a fitting for a strato- Although the ntting embodying the present l invention may be employed with special suits for use under various conditions, it is particularly useful in combination with a suit designed for the special use of persons entering the stratosphere, as. for example, the suits worn by aviators tor dying in the stratosphere.

An object of the invention. is to provide a ntting for a stratosphere or similar suit and which iitting kis so constructed that all oi the necessary connections can beinade readily, simultaneously and emciently to the` various instrumentalities associated with the suit as, for example, suitable electrical connections andy conduits for oxygen and hot air.

In suits worn by aviators for ilying in the stratosphere it is generally necessary -to provide at least six' electrical connections on the suit; two oi' these connections are for the head phones for radio and intraplanetelephone. two connections for the mouthpieces forthe radio and telephone, and two connections for electrical heating elements located in various sections of the suit. A suit of this character lalso requires connections for placing the supply linesoi'oi'gen and hot air into communication with theinterior of the suit.l

Another object of the invention is to provide a ntting i'or ay stratosphere or similar suit and which fitting is so constructed'as to enable the required electrical, oxygen and hot air connections to be made with the suit but if the wearer of the suit is forced to bail out of the plane the said connections will readily separate without allowing the escape of oxygen and hot air from the interior of the suit. y

Further and additional objects and advantages will become apparent during the detailed description which is to follow oi! embodiments of the invention. Referring to thel accompanying drawings, i

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a tting embodying the invention and which is shownwith the two separable parts of the fitting assembled together and one of the parts attached to a stratosphere suit, illustrated.

Fig. 2 is a'plan view ofthat part of the iltting which is permanently attached to the stratod sphere suit andis taken from line v2--2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section and partly in side elevation, ot that part of the iitting which is permanently connected to the plane and only only a portion oi' the suit beingl ting that is permanently connected to the stratoin Figs. 1 and 3.

temporarily associated with the part of the ntsphere suit. f

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken Von irregular line 4-4 of Fig. 2,1ooking in the direction o1 the arrows. L

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. -1 but showing a dlil'erent form of iltting embodying the-inven tion than is shown in Fig. i. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of that part of the fitting shown in Fig. 5 which is permanently connected to the plane and is only'temporarily associated with the part of the ftting that is permanently connected to the stratosphere suit, and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through that part of the iltting shown in Fig. 5 which is" permanently connected to the stratosphere suit.

The part oi' the iitting which is permanently connected to the plane is shown detached in Fig. 3. from the part attached to the suit and comprises a housing member I Il, the open end of which is closed by a suitable disk or plate I I interiitting a shouldered annular recess of the interior wall of the member I Il and held imposition by suitable means such as the screws I2..

The member I0 on its outer side is provided with a boss I3 surrounding an opening through which extends a cable I4 which contains six electrical conduits I5, three of which are indicated Three of the electrical conduits I5 extend interiorly of the member I0 toward the side wall thereof and are electrically connected, respectively, to plugs I6 mounted in suitable openings formed in a plate II. The plugs I6 on one side of the member I 0 are three in number and each includes spaced contact ngers I8. The other three electrical conduits I5 extend interiorly of the member Il and are electrically connected respectively to plugs Ii similarly mounted in and carried by the plate or disk II and located diametrically opposite the iirst mentioned group of plugs I6. In Fig. 3 only one plug I6 of leach group oi' plugs is shown since the sectional view is taken along a line passing between the plugs of each group. u

The member I0 provided with an opening through which extends a tubular hot air connector I9 which is exteriorly screw-threadedas indicated vat 20, and screws into a threaded opening formed in a thickened portion of the plate or disk II so that saidplate portion I1 of the disk. or

on one side of the boss I3 is position on the end of the connector and in communicatlon with the interior of the latter as will be well understood. The lower end of tl'ie` connector Il is of enlarged diameter, thus providing a shoulder l23 which contacts the lower or outer surface of the plate or disk II. The connector Il beneath the shoulder 23 is provided with anlocated to the right oi the boss I3, as viewed in \Fig....1, and through this third opening extends a second but somewhat smaller oxygen connector 26 which is externally threaded at 21 and screws into a threaded opening in the plate or disk II so as to be supported by the latter.

The connector 26 is provided at its upper end with an external annular bead or rib 21Il for retaining a iiexible oxygen supply hose 28 on and in communication with the connector 26, while the lower end 29 yof the connector is of increased diameter and provides a shoulder 30 which engages against the lower or outer surface oi the plate or disk I I.

The lower end 29 of the connector 26 is provided with an external annular groove 3I for a purpose later to be described. The connector 26 is provided with a bore 32 extending from the upper end of the connector to the enlarged lower portion of the latter, where said bore terminates in an enlarged portion 33. Below the enlarged portion 33 of the bore the connector 26 is provided with an enlarged counterbore which is threaded, as indicated at 34, to receive a retaining member 35 which screws into the counter bore but projects outwardly of the lower end of the connector 26. The retaining member 35 is substantially of inverted cup-shape and is prof vided in its closed end with an opening 36. The end wall of the retaining member 35 above the opening-36 is tapered, wherefore the retaining member completes the enlarged portion of the bore through the connector 26 and provides a tapered valve seat 31.

A ball valve 38 is mounted and returned in the enlarged portion of the bore through the connector 26 and may seat on the tapered valve seat 31 to close the opening in the retaining member 35 to prevent the escape of oxygen.

The member I and its associated elements which have just been described are connected to the plane through the ilexible tubes 22 and 28 which extend to a source of supply of hot air and oxygen under pressure, respectively. The member I0 is also connected to the plane by the cable I4 which carries the six electrical conduits I5, it being understood that two or said conduits are connected to a source of electrical energy, while two of the conduits are connected to the planes radio, andthe remaining two conduits to the intraplane telephone system.

'I'he part oi the tting which is attached to the stratosphere suit is indicated generally at 39. The 'part 39 comprises an annular-member 43 provided with a suitable external flange 4 I. The member 40 extends through an open in the .stratosphere suit 42, with the latter clamped between the ilange 4I and a clamping ring 43 by means of suitable screws 44. It will be understood that the connection between the member 40 and the stratosphere suit is a sealed connection, such that oxygen and air within the suit will not escape therefrom around the member 40.

The member 40 is provided with suitable recesses and openings to provide access to certain parts associated with the member as clearly indicated in the drawings. At diametrically opposite points the member 40 is provided with groups of three openings each through the member, to. removably receive socket members which are connected with electrical conduits 46 within the stratospherel suit. The socket members 45 receive the plugs I6 when the two parts of the tting are properly connected together.

Secured to the underside ,of the member 40 by means or suitable securing bolts 41 is a housing 48 which is provided with a hot air chamber 49 and an oxygen chamber 55.

The housing 48 supports a plurality of conduits 5I which extend from and are in communication with the hot air chamber 49. The conduits 5I are provided with ilanges or beads 52 for retaining on the conduits iiexible hoses 53. The flexible hoses 53 connected to the conduits 5I extend within the stratosphere suit to various locations -in the suit Ifor the purpose of conducting hot air thereto. The housing 48 also supports a conduit indicated at 54 and which is in com munication with the oxygen chamber 56 and extends therefrom outwardly beyond the housing 48. The outer end of the conduit 54 is provided with a bead or flange 54a, see Fig. 2, for retaining thereon a flexible hose (not shown) which leads within the stratosphere suit to the oxygen breathing device for the wearer and which device is mounted in said suit as will be understood.

The housing 48 centrally o i the bottoms of the chambers 49 and 50 is provided with upstanding bosses 55 having tapped openings therein to allow rods 56 and 51 to be screwed into the bosses and extend rigidly and fixedly upwardly in the chambers 49 and 50, respectively. The rod 55 passes through an externallyv flanged sleeve 58 which is carried by a flexible diaphragm 59 clamped with a sealing engagement between the lower surface of the member 40 and the upper edge of the housing 48 and extending across the open end of the chamber 43. The upper or outer edge 60 of the sleeve 53 is beveled and is normally maintained against a gasket 6I in sealing relationship by means oi a coil spring 62 surrounding the boss 55 and rod 56 in the chamber 49 and engaging a washer on the underside of the diaphragm 59. The gasket 6I is carried on the hanged head 63 at the outer end oi the ilxed rod 56 and which head is located in an opening 40a formed in the member 40 and adapted to receive the enlarged lower end of the hot air connector I9, as will later be pointed out.

It will be seen that the valve formed of the gasket 5I and the beveled edge 66 seals the opening in the sleeve 53 and normally closes communication with the chamber 49 from exteriorly of the stratosphere suit.

The xed rod 51 is longer than the fixed rod 56 and extends outwardly of the chamber 50 into an opening 40h in the member 48 which is adapted to receive the lower end of the oxygen connector 26 as will later be pointed out. The iixed rod 51 intermediate its ends is provided with spaced flanges that support therebetween a sealing gasket 64. The ilxed rod 51 below the gasket 64 passes through an externally ilanged sleeve 65, the upper edge 65a of .which is beveled so asto seat on the gasket 64 with a sealing engagement. 'I'he anged sleeve 65 is carried by a exible diaphragm 66 extending across the upper end of the chamber 50 and clamped with a sealing engagement between the upper edge of the housing 48 and the lower surface oi' the mem- 4.ber 40. yA coil springl 61 surrounds the boss 55 and rod 51 in the chamber 50 and abuts a washer Aon the underside of the diaphragm 66 and normally maintains the beveled upper' edge 65a of thesleeve 65 in sealing contact with the gasket 64, thus closing the chamber 50 from communication with the exterior of the stratosphere suit.

The member 40 is provided with a suitable spring 'pressed plunger 68 mounted so as to extend radially into the opening 49a in the member 40 that receives the connector I9 and which plunger acts as the usual spring point. The member 40 is also provided .with another spring pressed plunger or spring point 89 which extends radially into the opening 40h in the member 40 whichreceives the lower end of the connector 26 As already explained the part lilof the tting is -permanently connected with the airplane through the flexible hoses 22 and 28 and the cable I4, while the part 39 of the fitting is secured to the stratosphere suit 42.

When the wearer of the stratosphere suit wishes to connect the part III of the fitting with the part 39 he inserts the lower ends of the connectors I9 and 28 into the openings 40a. and 40h provided therefor in the member 40 of the part 39 until the spring points 88 and 89 snap into the grooves 24 and 3l formed, respectively, in the lower ends of the connectors I9 and 26. The spring points 68 and 69 thus frictionally retain the connectors I9 and 28 in the openings 40a and 40b.

The free edge of the reduced end 25 of the connector I9 when thus inserted in the opening 40aV extends below the inner surface of the lmein- 49 against the action of the spring 62 to unseat the beveled upper edge 60 of the sleeve 58 with respect to the gasket or valve 6I carried by the ilxed rod 56. At this time hot air is free to pass from the connector I9 through the sleeve 58 into the chamber 49 and thence through the conduits I and flexible hoses 53 to various locations in the interior of the stratosphere suit. It will be understood that the hose 22 is connected with a suitable source of supply of hot air.

When the connector 26 is inserted into the opening 40h in the member 40 until the spring point 69 snaps into the groove 3| the upper end of the fixed rod 51 passes through the opening 36 in theI retaining member 35 and engages the ball valve 38 to raise the latter from the tapered seat 31. At this time also the lower edge of the of the openings 48a and ber 40 and sealingly engages the diaphragm `59 -I .and distorts the latter inwardly of the chamber f retaining member 35 sealingly engages the diay phragm '66 and distorts the rlatter against the action of the spring 61 to move the beveled upper edge a of the sleeve 65 out o contact with the gasket or valve 64 carried4by the fixed rod 51, as clearly vshown in Fig. 1. h

It will be fevident that now oxygen under pressure is free to ow through the connector 28 and through the sleeve 65 into the chamber 58 from whence it passes through the conduit 54 and the flexible hose connected therewith to the oxygen breathing device (not shown) carried by the stratosphere suit. It will be understood that the hose 28 is connected with a suitable ysource oi' 3 supply oi.'l oxygen under pressure, such as an oxygen tank.

In mounting the part I0 of the fitting on the part 39, as Just explained, the contactngers I8 of the three plugs I8 of each group of plugs extend into the three socket members 45 of each groupy of socket members .and electrically connect the six leadsl or conduits I5 with the six leadsor conduits 46 within the stratosphere suit. It will be recalled that two of the leads or conduits I5 are connected .with a source of electrical'energy, while two of the leads or conduits 46 are connected with electrical heating elements located within the stratosphere suit. It will be further recalled that two of the leads or conduits ,I5 are connected with the intraplane telephone system, while two oi' the leads 48 are connected respectively within the suit to the mouthpiece and the earphone of the intraplane telephone. In addition the, remaining two leads or conduits I5 are connected to the radio carried" by the plane, while the remaining two leads or conduits 46 extend, respectively, to the mouthpiece and the earphone carried by the suit for the radio.

It will be seen that the tting which has now been completely described provides all of the necessary electrical connections, aswell as the required hot air and oxygeny connections to the stratosphere suit. e Assuming that the two separable parts of the fitting are interconnected and the wearer. of the suit desires to separate the part I8 of the fitting from the part 39, it is only necessary for him to move the part I8 away from the part 39 with sumcient force to overcome the spring action of the spring points 68 and 89 to disengage the connectors I9 and 28 from the member 40 and also to disengage the spring contact ilngers I8 from the socket members 45. As soon as the connectors I9 and 28 have been moved outwardly 40h inthe member 40 to disengage the lower ends of the connectors with respect to the diaphragms 59l and 68 the springs 62 and 61 restore said diaphragms to their original positions wherein the beveled upper edges 60'and 65a of the sleeves 58,and 65 sealingly engage the valves or gaskets 6I and 64,

respectively, thus preventing escape yofhot airv stratosphere lsuit to the In case of an emergency if the wearer of the stratosphere suit balls or jumps out of the plane without disconnecting the parts of the tting because of the lack of time or through forgetfulness, the force of his movement out of the plane wil1 accomplish this disconnection automatically.

In Figs. 5, 6 and? a different form of fitting embodying the invention is illustrated than is shown in Figs. l to 4 inclusive. However, the

tting shown in Figs. 5 to 7 functions in substantially the same manner as the previously described form of the tting but diil'ers therefrom merely in its structural make-up. As in the previously described form the fitting now tobe described and illustrated in said Figs. 5 to 7 in-v /wmcn is located a supporting plate 13 The SUP- against an internal shoulder porting plate bears 12 and is held in position in 1l in the housing the housing by means of one or more set screws 1l extending through the wall of the housing and engaging in recesses formed in the supporting plate 1l. The housing 12 is provided in its closed end with an opening aligning with an opening in the supporting plate 13 and a tubular connector 1l extends through these openings.

The connector 16 is provided with an external iiange 11 and above this ange with an exterior- 1y threaded portion 1l which passes through the opening in the supporting plate 13 and above the same. A clamp nut 1l screwed on the externally threaded portion 18 of the connector serves to draw the flange 11 into tight engagement with the supporting plate 13 and to hold the connector 1l in position in said plate and in the housing 12. The connector 1l is provided with a bore Il and at its lower end with an enlarged counterbore Il, while a ring 82 is mounted internally of the connector and bears against the shoulder provided at the inner end of the counterbore ll. The ring I2 has a cross piece Il extending diametrically of the ring for a purpose later to be explained. The outer end of the connector 1l beyond the closed end o! the housing 12 is externally threaded, as indicated at Il, and said outer end oi the connector screws into a threaded socket formed in an elbow 85.

The elbow I has a second threaded socket into which screws a connecting sleeve la provided on its outer end with an outwardly flared portion l1 which acts to retain on the sleeve a ilexible hot air supply hose (not shown) similar to the hose 22 in the previously described form of the invention.

The housing 12 is provided with another openi'ng located in alignment with an opening u in the supporting plate 13. A connector 89 extends through these aligned openings in the housing and the supportlngplate 13 and said connector is provided at its inner end with an enlarged pori tion Il above which the connector has an externally threaded portion Il extending through the opening n in the supporting plate 13. The conf nector I. is held in position in the openings in the housing and supporting plate by means of a nut 02 screwed on the externally threaded portion Il of the supporting plate and drawing the enlarged portion 9| of the connector into tight engagement with the shoulder formed by the enlarged counterbore at one end of the opening Il. The connector l! is provided with a bore l2 which at its inner end communicates with a counterbore 24, in turn communicating with a threaded counterbore 95 in the enlarged portion Il of the connector. A retaining member 06 has its enlarged externally threaded end portion screwed into the threaded counterbore l5 as indicated in Fig. 6. This retainingmember is provided intermediate its ends with a bore 91 communicating with an enlarged counterbore 58, the

bore 9| by a coil spring |02 which abuts the'bottom of the counterbore as clearly shown in Fig. 6. Y

The connector ,Il extends beyond the closed end of the housing 12 and is provided with an externally threaded portion Illthat screws into a threaded socket formed in an elbow I, The elbow IM is provided with a second threaded socket into which screws the externally threaded end of a connecting sleeve Ill flared at its opposite end Ill for retaining thereon a flexible oxygen supply hose (not shown) similar to the hose 2l previously referredl to.

In assembling the elements 'of the parts 1I the connectors 1I and Il without the elbows Ii and lill attached thereto, are mounted and clamped in position in the openings" and Il, respectively, of the supporting plate Il before said plate is mounted in position in the housing 12. The supporting plate 13 with the connectors mounted thereon is then assembled in the housing 12 and the connectors passed through the openings in the closed end of the housing, after which the elbows IB and I can be secured to the outer ends of the connectors.

The housing 12 at its closed end is provided with a boss II1, similar to the boss Il and surroundinan opening through which extends the cable I4, previously referred to, and which cable contains electrical conduits II, three of which are shown in Fig. 5. As in the previously described form of fitting, three oi .the electrical conduits Ii extend interiorly of the housing toward the side wall thereof and are electrically connected, respectively, to plugs I8 (previously illustrated but not shown in Figs. 5 to 7) mounted in suitable openings formed in the supporting plate 1I. The plugs Il each includes spaced contact ngers Il. The other electrical conduits il carried by the cable Il extend interiorly of the part 1l and are electrically connected, respectively, to similar plugs It mounted in and carried by the supporting plate 13 ina corresponding manner. Inasmuch as the electrical connections have been fully illustrated and described in connection with the form of fitting shown, in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, these connections have not been illustrated in the fitting of Figs. 5 to 'I inclusive.

The part 1i comprises a housing Ill provided intermediate its ends with an external ilange I corresponding to the nange Il in the previously described form and serving the purpose oi cooperating with the washer ring 43 and the screws 4I to enable the part 1I to be attached to the stratosphere suit in sealed relation therewith. The housing lill is of a diameter such that it telescopes within the housing 12 below the supporting plate 13 as clearly indicatedl in Fig. 5.

The housing I" is provided at its upper end, as viewed in the drawings, with a recess Ill, the bottom of which has an upstanding continuous bead III spaced from the wall of the recess. The recess IIO at its inner end combottom of which is conical as indicated at 99.

The bore 91 also communicates with a counterbore IUI located in the free end or the retaining member 2i. A ball valve 10| is located inthe retaining member !i and is normally held seated` on the conical bottom suriace 99 of the counter- 7 5 municates with a bore H2 which, in turn, communicates at its inner end with a recess or chamber H3 the bottom of which is provided with a centrally disposed upstandingv integral guide sleeve Ill. A ilexible member lli extends over the beadlil and into the space between the bead and the wall ci the recess I i0 and is clamped in position therein by a washer lli and a wire clamping spring H1 mounted in a groove formed in the wall of the recess H0 as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The flexible member extends inwardly of the bore H2 and has a centrally disposed 2,307,393 opening therein, the wall of which is providedwith ribs embracing and secured to the external flange I I8 of a sleeve I I9 supported by the member inner end of the sleeve is of conical shape, as indicated at |20 in Fig. 7.

A valve member |2I normally seats on the conical end |20 of the sleeve ||9 to close the' side of the valve member |2| and normally maintains the latter in seated relationship on. the conical end |20 of the sleeve H9.

The chamber 3 communicatesY with a plurality of conduits indicated at |25 and similar to the conduits 5|. previously described and which conduits are connected with'ilexible hoses that extend within the stratosphere suit. to various locations in the suit for the'purpose of conducting hot air thereto.

Thehousing |08 is also provided with a recess |26 the bottom of which has an upstanding bead or flange |21 spaced from .the wall oi.' the recess. The recess |26 communicates with a bore |28 in the housing and said bore in turn' communicates with an oxygen chamber |23 having lon its bottom wall a centrally disposed integral upstanding guide sleeve |30. A flexible member |3| similar to the ilexible member ||5 previously described extends over the bead |21 and is clamped in the recess |26 by the ring washer |32 and the wire clamping spring |33 located in a groove formed in the wall of the recess |26. The flexible member |3| extends inwardly of the bore |28 and is provided with a central opening, the wall of whichr has spaced ilanges which grip and are secured to an ex terna] ilange |34 fformed on a sleeve |35"l the inner end of which is of conical shape and is normally engaged by a valve member |36.

The valve |36 is mounted on a valve pin which has a portion |31 extending outwardly through the sleeve |36 and the recess |26 and another portion |38 located below the valve |36 and a washer |39 and said portion |38 extends into the guide sleeve |30. A coil spring |40 is locatedln the chamber |29 and surrounds the guide sleeve .|30 and abuts the washer |39 and normally maintains thel valve |36 seated against the conical inner end of the sleeve |35. A conduit indicated at |4| and similar to the conduit 5I' previously described communicates with the chamber |29 and is connected with a flexible hose (not shown) which leads within the stratosphere suit to the oxygen breathing device for the wearer and which device is mounted in said suit as will be well understood.

It will be understood that the part 1| is pro-V vided with groups of openings that removably receive the socket members 45 (previously described), which, in turn, are connected with;

electrical conduits within the stratosphere suit and said socket members receiver the plug I6 when .the two parts of the iitting are properly connected together.

In Fig. 5 the part 1| and the part 12 of tne tting are illustrated assembled together and at such time it will be seen that the inner end of the ||5,in sealed relationship thereto. TheV connectors,l 16' and 89A .telescope over/the sleeves IISV and1|35', respectively, until they engage the However, at'the'L time that the innerV ends of the connectors 16 andv 89 have` engagedn the iiexible members theL cross piece 83A ofthe ring 82 in theY connector flexible members ||5 and I3I.

16 has engaged thev'endV of .the portion |22` of the valvepin andi moved the latter andthevalve .|2.| inwardly against the action of ther spring? |24 to the.v positidnisliown in Fig. 5, at which time saidV valve is unseated and the connector 16 is in communication with the. chamberL ||3i Also at this time the endof the portion |31 of the valve pin which carries the'valve: |36. has engaged the ball, valve |0| and unseated the latter against the action of its spring and said.

ball valve, in turn, when thus unseated has reactedagainst the valve pinto move the latter against the action of its spring to` unseated posi` tionas shown inv Fig. 5, at which time vthe bore 03v through the conductor 89 is in communication withthe oxygen chamber'V |29.

It will be understood that suitable means such as spring points may be provided, if desirable, for frictionally holding the parts 1I and 12 in assembled relationship.

Theform of fitting shown in" Figs. 5 to 7 functions in a comparablemanner to the form of tting described in connection withFigs. 1V to 4 inclusive and' accomplishes comparable resultsy andv therefore it is not believed necessary to repeat herein in further detail the mode of. operation or the-resultsA accomplishedUby-the fitting shown in Figs. 5 to 7.

.Although several embodiments of thev invention have been illustrated and described herein it should be understood that the invention is susceptible of various modifications and adaptations within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described .my invention, I claim:

l. A fitting of kthe'character described com-- prising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached insealed relationshipy with a stratosphere or similar suit andY having'a chamber therein in communication: with` the interior of saidsuit, means normally closing said chamber from communication with the exterior of said suit and including a flexible dia'- phragm, a sleeve carried by said diaphragm,

and a iixed valveelement engaged by an edge of said sleeve to seal the latter; said other part having a tubular connector acting when said parts are Vplaced together to sealingly engage saiddi'aphragmand distortV the latter to unseat said sleeve edge' and xed valve element whereupon said. connectorA is in communication with nication withj the exterior of said suity and including flexible diaphragms extending acrosssaid chambers. sleeves carried by said. diaphragms, and iixed' valve elements engaged by an edge of said sleeves to seal the` latter; said other part having tubular connectorsl acting when saidparts are placed together to sealingly engage said diaphragms and distort the latter to unseat saidv sleevel edges and xed valveelements whereupon said connectors are in communication with said chambers, said parts having cooperating means releasably maintaining the same in placed together relationship.

3. A tting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit, said part having a chamber therein communicating with the interior of said suit and also being provided with an opening aligning with said chamber and extending inwardly from the outer side of said part, a flexible diaphragm extending across said chamber inwardly of said opening, a sleeve carried by said diaphragm, a fixed valve element carried by said part and normally engaged by an edge of said sleeve to close the latter, said other part supporting .a tubular co'nnector extending through the same and projecting, when said parts are placed together, into said opening and sealingly engaging the diaphragm and distorting the same to unseat said sleeve edge and said valve element, said parts having cooperating releasablemeans for maintaining the parts in placed together relationship.

4. A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit and having a chamber therein in communication.with the interior of said suit, means normally closing said chamber from communication with the exterior of said suit and including a flexible member, a sleeve carried by said flexible member;

and a valve element engaged by an edge of said' sleeve to seal the latter; said other part having a tubular connector acting when said parts are .placed together to sealingly engage said exible member and to unseat said valve element and sleeve edge whereupon said connector is in communication with said chamber.

5. A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of which is operatively attached to a stratosphere or similar suit, one of said parts being provided with a plurality of electrical sockets adapted to be connected to leads and the other of said parts having a plurality of electrical plugs connected to leads and operatively engaging in said sockets when said parts are placed together, the said part other than the part connected to the suit being connected by a conduit to a uid supply source, said parts having cooperating means releasably interconnecting the parts and placing the interior o f the suit in communication with said conduit, said cooperating means including a iiexible diaphragm, and a xed valve element engaged by an edge of said sleeve to seal the latter and all carried by one of said parts; a tubular connector carried by the other of said parts and acting when said parts are interconnected to sealingly engage said diaphragm and sleeve edge and fixed valve element.

6. A tting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit and having a chamber therein in communication with the interior of said suit, means normally closing said chamber from communication with the exterior of said suit and including a exible member, a sleeve carried by said iiexible member. and a movable valve element engaged by a sleeve carried thereby' distort the latter to unseat said an edge of said sleeve to seal the latter: said other part having a tubular connector 'acting when said parts 'are placed together to sealingly engage said flexible member and to move said valve element to unseat the same with respect to said sleeve edge whereupon said connector is in communication with said chamber.

7. A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit and having a plurality of chambers therein in communication with the interior of said suit, means normally closing said chambers from communication with the exterior of said suit and including flexible members, sleeves carried by said members, and valve elements engaged by an edge of said sleeves to seal the latter; said other part having tubular connectors acting when said parts are placed together to sealingly engage said fiexible members and to unseat said valve elements and sleeve edges whereupon said connectors are in communication with said chambers.

8. A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit and having a plurality of chambers therein in communication with the interior of said suit, means normally closing said chambers from communication with the exterior of said suit and including ilexible members, sleeves carried by said members, and movable valve elements engaged by an edge of said sleeves to seal the latter; said other part having tubular connectors acting when said parts are placed together to sealingly engage said Ilexible members and to move said valve elements to unseat the latter with respect to said sleeve edges whereupon said connectors are in communication with said chamber.

9. A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit, said part having a chamber therein communicating with the interior of said suit and also being provided with an opening aligning with said chamber and extending inwardly from the outer side of said part, a iiexible member interposed between said chamber and said opening, a sleeve carried by said member, and a valve element normally engaging an edge of said sleeve to close the latter, said other part having a tubular connector extending through said part and projecting when said parts are placed together into said opening and sealingly engaging said exible member and unseating said valve element and said sleeve edge whereupon said connector is in communication with said chamber.

10. A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit, said part having a chamber therein communicating with the interior of said suit and also being provided with an opening aligning with said chamber and extending inwardly from the outer side of said part, a flexible member interposed between said opening and said chamber, a sleeve carried by said member, a movable valve element carried by said part and normally engaging an edge of said sleeve to close the latter, said other part supporting a tubular connector extending through the said part and projecting when said parts are placed together into said opening and sealingly engaging the exible member and moving said valve element to unseat the same with respect to said sleeve edge whereupon said connector is in communication with said chamber.

11. A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit and hav- 4lar connector provided with cooperating valve means normally closing the outlet end of the connector, said connector acting when said parts areplaced together to sealingly engage said ilexible member and to unseat said valve element and sleeve edge whereupon said connector is in communication with said chamberjsaid one part being provided with means acting when said parts are placed together to unseat said cooperating valve means in said connector.

12. A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit and having a chamber therein in communication with the interior of said suit, means normally closing said chamber from communication with the exterior of said suit and including a flexible diaphragm, a sleeve carried by said diaphragm, and a fixed valve element engaged by an edge of said sleeve to seal the latter and all carried by said one of said parts, said other part having a tubular connector provided with cooperating valve means normally closing the outlet end of said connector, said connector acting when said parts are placedtogether to sealingly engage said diaphragm and distort the latter to unseat said sleeve edge and fixed valve element, said one part being provided with means acting when said parts are placed together to unseat the cooperating valve means carried by said tubular connector.

13. A iltting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar'suit and having a chamber therein in communication with the interior of said suit, means normally closing said chamber from communication with the exterior of said suit and including a flexible member, a sleeve carried by said member, and a movable valve element. engaging an edge of said sleeve to seal the latter, said other part having a tubular connector provided with cooperating valve means normally closing the outlet end of said connector, said connector acting when said parts are placed together to sealingly engage said flexible member and to move said valve element to unseat the same with respect to said sleeve edge, said one part being provided with means acting when said parts are placed together to unseat said cooperating valve means carried by said connector.-

14. A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attachedin sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit and having a plurality of chambers therein in communication with the interior ol' said suit, means normally closing said chambers from communication with the exterior of said suit and including flexible members, sleeves carried by said members, and valve elements engaging an edge of said sleeves to seal the latter, said other part having tubular connectors one of which is provided With cooperating valve means normally closing the outlet end thereof, said connectors acting when said parts are placed together to sealingly engage said members and to unseatl said valve elements and sleeve edges, said one part being provided with means acting when said parts are placed together to unseat said cooperating valve means carried by said one connector.

15. A fitting of the character, described comp rising two separable parts, one of said parts being adaptedto be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit and having a pluralityof chambers therein in communication with the interior of said suit, means normally closing said chambers from communication with the exterior of said suit and including flexible diaphragms extending across said chambers,

sleeves carried by said diaphragms, and fixed valve elements engaged by an edge of said sleeves to seal the latter, said other part having tubular connectors oneof which is provided with cooperating valve means normally closing the outlet end thereof, said connectors acting when said parts are placed together to sealingly engage said diaphragms and distort the latter to unseat said sleeve edges and fixed valve elements, said one part being provided with means acting when said parts are placed together to unseat said cooperating valve means carried by said one connector.

16., A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of said parts being adapted to be attached in sealed relationship with a stratosphere or similar suit and having a plurality of chambers therein communicating with the interior of said suit, means normally closing said chambers from communication with the exterior of said suit and including flexible members, sleeves carried by said members, and movable valve elements engaging an edge of said sleeves to seal the latter, said other part having tubular connectors one of which is provided with cooperating valve means normally closing the outlet end thereof, said connectors acting when said vparts are placed',- together to sealingly engage-` said members and to move said valve elements to unseat the same with respect to said sleeve e ges, said one part having means acting when said parts are placed together to unseat the cooperating valve means carried by said one connector.

17. A fitting of the character described com`l prising two separable parts, one of which is operatively attached to a stratosphere or similar suit, one, of said parts being provided with a plurality of electrical sockets adapted to be connected to leads and the other of said parts having a plurality of electrical plugs connectedto leads and operatively engaging in said sockets when said parts areplaced together, the said part other than the part connected to the suit being connected by a conduit to a fluid supply source, said parts having cooperating means re-A leasably interconnecting the parts and placing' the interior of the suit in communication with` said conduit, said cooperating means including a flexible member, a sleeve carried thereby, and

a valve element engaging an edge of said sleeve to seal the latter and all carried by one of .said parts, a tubular connector carried by the other of said parts and acting when said parts are interconnected to sealingly engage said member and to unseat said sleeve edge and valve element.

18. A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of which is operatively attached to a stratosphere or similar suit, one of said parts being provided with a plurality of electrical sockets adapted to be connected to leads and the other of said parts having a plurality of electrical plugs connected to leads and operatively engaging in said sockets when said parts are placed together, the said part other than the part connected to the suit being connected by a conduit to a fluid supply source, said parts having cooperating means releasably interconnecting the parts and placing the interior of the suit in communicationl with said conduit, said cooperating means including a ilexible member, a sleeve carried thereby and a movable valve element engaging an edge of said sleeve to seal the latter and all carried by one of said parts, a tubular connector carried bythe other of said parts and acting when said parts are interconnected to sealingly engage said member and to move the valve element to unseat the same with respect to said sleeve edge.

19. A tting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one or which is operatively attached to a stratosphere or similar suit, one of said parts being provided with a plurality of electrical sockets adapted to be connected to leads and the other of said parts having a plurality of electrical plugs connected to leads and operatively engaging in said sockets when said parts are placed together, the said parts other than the part connected to the suit being connected by conduits to fluid supply sources, said parts having cooperating means releasably interconnecting the interior of the suit in communication with said conduits, said cooperating means including iiexible members, sleeves carried by said members and valve elements engaging an edge of said sleeves to seal the latter and all carried by one of said parts, tubular connectors carried by the other of said parts and acting when said parts are interconnected to sealingly engage said members to unseat said sleeve edges and valve elements.

20. A fitting of the character described comprising two separable parts, one of which is operatively attached to a stratosphere or similar suit. one of said parts being provided with a plurality ofl electrical sockets adapted to be connected to leads and the other of said parts having a plurality of electrical plugs connected to leads and operatively engaging in said sockets when said parts are placed together, the said part other than the part connected to the suit Vbeing connected by conduits to iiuid supply the parts and placing sources, said parts having cooperating means 'releasably interconnecting the parts and placing the interior of the suit in communication with said conduits, said cooperating means including flexible members, sleeves carried by said members and valve elements engaging an edge of said sleeves to seal the latter and all carried by one of said parts, tubular connectors carried by the other of said parts and one of which connectors is provided with cooperating valve means normally closing the outlet end thereof, said connectors acting when said parts are interconnected to sealingly engage said members and to unseat said valve elements and sleeeve edges, said one part being provided with means acting when said parts are interconnected to unseat said cooperating valve means carried by said one connector.

JOHN c. cRowLEin 

